Dielectric jaw insert for electrosurgical end effector
First Claim
1. An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:
- a pair of opposing first and second jaw members each having a tissue contacting surface, at least one of the first and second jaw members being monolithic and at least one jaw member moveable relative to the other from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue, the at least one monolithic jaw member having a cavity defined therein; and
a jaw insert selectively replaceable from within the cavity of the at least one monolithic jaw member, the jaw insert having a tissue contacting surface, at least a portion of the jaw insert including a dielectric material configured to allow selective reduction of the thermal mass of the at least one monolithic jaw member which, in turn, allows the selective regulation of energy between jaw members.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to an end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument and methods of manufacturing the same. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members and a jaw insert. Each of the opposing jaw members has a tissue contacting surface and one or more of the jaw members are monolithic. Additionally, at least one of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue. The monolithic jaw member also has a cavity defined therein. The jaw insert is selectively positionable within the cavity of the monolithic jaw member. The jaw insert includes a tissue contacting surface and a portion of the jaw insert includes a dielectric material configured to reduce the thermal mass of the monolithic jaw member.
154 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:
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a pair of opposing first and second jaw members each having a tissue contacting surface, at least one of the first and second jaw members being monolithic and at least one jaw member moveable relative to the other from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue, the at least one monolithic jaw member having a cavity defined therein; and a jaw insert selectively replaceable from within the cavity of the at least one monolithic jaw member, the jaw insert having a tissue contacting surface, at least a portion of the jaw insert including a dielectric material configured to allow selective reduction of the thermal mass of the at least one monolithic jaw member which, in turn, allows the selective regulation of energy between jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of manufacturing an end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument comprising the steps of:
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fabricating opposing jaw members, at least one jaw member being monolithic and having a cavity defined therein; fabricating a selectively replaceable jaw insert and at least a portion of the jaw insert including a dielectric material configured to allow selective reduction of the thermal mass of the monolithic jaw member which, in turn, allows the selective regulation of energy between jaw members; and positioning the jaw insert within the cavity of the monolithic jaw member. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:
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a pair of opposing first and second jaw members each having a tissue contacting surface, at least one of the first and second jaw members being monolithic and at least one jaw member moveable relative to the other from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue, the at least one monolithic jaw member having a cavity defined therein; and a jaw insert selectively replaceable from within the cavity of the at least one monolithic jaw member, at least a portion of the jaw insert including a dielectric material configured to allow the thermal mass of the at least one monolithic jaw member which, in turn, allows the selective regulation of energy between jaw members, the jaw insert including at least one mechanical interface configured to cooperate with a corresponding mechanical interface to selectively position the jaw insert within the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:
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a pair of opposing first and second jaw members each having a tissue contacting surface, at least one of the first and second jaw members being monolithic and at least one jaw member moveable relative to the other from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue, the at least one monolithic jaw member having a cavity defined therein; and a jaw insert selectively replaceable from within the cavity of the at least one monolithic jaw member, the jaw insert having a tissue contacting surface, at least a portion of the jaw insert including a dielectric material configured to allow selective reduction of the thermal mass of the at least one monolithic jaw member which, in turn, allows the selective regulation of energy between jaw members, wherein the jaw insert further includes at least one mechanical interface extending laterally from the jaw insert and configured to engage a corresponding mechanical interface defined within the cavity such that the jaw insert may be removably inlayed into the cavity.
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Specification